Baby sign language?

[Jennifer Steele]

It does not delay speech from my experience. We taught some basics to our baby when he was around 12 months, right about the time he started SCREAMING for everything he wanted. The signs for please, thank you and more helped him to communicate before he was able to say the words. Now he signs and says the words.

 

[Jdarg]

I'm considering teaching sign language to Will, to get us all through the teenage boy grunting-for-communication phase.:roll:

 

[Mermaid]

Darn, I missed out on this AND Barney!

Actually, this is very fascinating to read about. When did this become popular?

You and me both. The only "sign" language I ever taught my children was a flat hand extended outward, meaning "dangerous, don't touch." It never occurred to me that I could teach the niceties! I'm going to google this because it sounds so interesting (and useful).

 

[Miss Kitty]

I'm considering teaching sign language to Will, to get us all through the teenage boy grunting-for-communication phase.:roll:

...omg, I was thinking the same thing! Funny how teenage boys grunt and ugh and teenage girls roll their eyes! It could also be useful for "talking" with Mr. K when he gets on my last nerve.

 

[greenroomsurfer]

Grunt Grunt Grunt!!!!!! That's 16 year old for pissed.:roll::funn:

 

[ozbeachmom]

Signing is a fantastic thing to do with children. I work daily with speech pathologist and they all say it is a wonderful tool if partnered with speech. So when you sign "more", or whatever other word you are signing, say the word with the motion. There is a book called Baby Signs and we used it with our child. We had less behavior issues with him and one of the reasons I believe is because we gave him the tools to communicate. He also talked sooner than the other two kiddos. We started around 8 months, I know people who started earlier than that and it was fine also. Good Luck and happy signing! Wait until they do their first at you, you will be really excited!

 

[bluemtnrunner]

We started using it early as 20% of the kids at the daycare had special needs so all of the kids learned basics. The signs I carried with me were ones I could use from across a crowded room (SIT DOWN, BE QUIET, STOP!) but it was useful when they were smaller too. Kids use sign language anyway, they just make it up on their own and you have to figure out what they mean. Teaching standard signs helps with the learning curve, less frustration.

My step son is deaf and when my son met him a couple of years ago (they were both 11 or 12) my son picked up on sign language very quickly maybe because of early exposure or maybe because they were intent on talking to each other.

 

[ckhagen]

My little guy who doesn't sign just stands there and points and screams this hair raising pitched scream. Strangers make the worst faces when they hear that one They think he's just bad, but really he's just extremely upset that he doesn't know how to say what he wants to say.

This morning he had a cup with some green tea in it and after he had finished it he came up to me and was trying desperately to say something, but I had no clue what he was saying. Eventually I figured out he wanted "more drink" but he was screaming and crying "MODEEN". A sign would have been really nice for that one. He does say a couple things really clearly and the beaming smile on his face is evidence of how proud he is of himself when he does say something that we understand.

 

[Do Good]

I did sign with my daughter who is now 8. She will still sign for excuse me when I am in the middle of talking to someone. I find that to be so much more polite. It is amazing how it cuts down frustration for the little one. I am certainly looking forward to doing sign with the new arrival coming in a few weeks... as my daughter can sign, and Daddy knows how to sign, so it is going to be even better for the little one this time- more of a family learning experience. I say do it! I found a book on signing for babies at Target a long time ago... though I am sure you can find books or online info everywhere now... I hope this helps.

 

[kathydwells]

I'm considering teaching sign language to Will, to get us all through the teenage boy grunting-for-communication phase.:roll:

Amen Sista. This get's on my last nerve. I swear I understood Jesse better when he couldn't talk!!!